Jack and Thompson Funeral Home give back with Christmas Memorial

December 10, 2014 · 0 Comments

In what can only be referred to as one of the greatest acts of empathic kindness upon a sentimental journey, Jack & Thompson Funeral Home owners, Christine Jack-Goheen, and Shawna Thompson, together with Reverend David Howes, Reverend Stephanie Pillow, Norma Godbold, DM, singing duet, Wendy Elwood and Pat Thompson accompanied by pianist, Jennifer Smile, helped to heal the bereft during a wonderful but sometimes difficult time of year.
For the third year in a row the combination of these fine people, have created a ‘community, nondenominational, everyone welcome, memorial service. Not a business ploy in any way as it didn’t matter if a person had never set foot in Jack & Thompson previously, merely, a simple act of kindness to gather among those also grieving the loss of a loved one in a very special way.
“The unique love people have for their loved ones and the unique relationship they shared will also make people grieve for their loved ones in unique ways,” explained Reverend Howes in a compassionate tone when addressing those who gathered, “Sometimes we think we are alone in our journey of grief. This Memorial Service lets people know they are not alone. While some might say, two weeks of mourning the loss of a loved one is enough, I say there’s no formula. Each relationship is special and each person will experience their own special grieving.”
Reverend Stephanie Pellow when addressing the congregation added, “There was a time in history when the wearing of a black band around a persons’ arm indicated they had lost someone and were grieving. This accomplished two things, allowing those around to understand that person is grieving and allowed the grieving person, a tangible, visible indication to all while presenting to others the understanding the grieving person may be sensitive, alerting them to the mourner’s state of mind. Such customs are long gone now.”
The Reverend explained, without that arm band in place, society has a get back to normal life, “get over it” attitude and the Memorial Service reminds and comforts: While mourners are missing loved ones especially at Christmas, where an empty place setting might be at Christmas dinner, while it doesn’t feel right somehow being happy at all when that special loved one is no longer with us, to understand we can celebrate them, speak about their lives and the times of their life when we enjoyed sharing, the laughter, their opinions, their lives. Living life is not forgetting, letting go. Living life the best we can honors those not physically with us in the same way we would wish for them had the tables been turned. We would want happiness and joy for our loved ones.
Following addresses, a life changing comfort and wonderful sentimental journey, those who wished to, then walked to the front, lit a candle and announced to the congregation who the candle was for followed by walking to a beautiful Christmas Tree filled with tiny glass angels, one for every candle lit to be taken home as a keepsake of remembrance, joy and gratitude for the ones we love.
So why would funeral home owners organize a memorial service? Thompson and Jack-Goheen explained, “Every year the attendance is up at our Memorial Service and we feel it’s important to acknowledge people’s grieving process especially when it feels like everyone else is not grieving.” Both owners agreed that a service like this gives families a way to honour those who have passed without feeling guilty about being happy over the holidays. What a gift it is!
Coupled with the beautiful and comforting voices of duet, Welwood and Thompson accompanied by the exceptionally talented Jennifer Smele, people felt a little lighter leaving than when they arrived.
The Shelburne Free Press wishes to thank all those involved in the organizing of such a wonderful, sentimental and emotional memorial service exemplifying what it means to be a member of the Shelburne community.

By Alex Sher